What grade would you give BK thus far.

[FightingIrishLover7]

A-

I expected 4 years. Needs to get his own guys for his system.

I'm patient, and I see growth in the right direction.

Weis's first couple of years were "duct tape" fixes. Meaning, it appeared Weis fixed all the problems, but really he was patching the holes. Not preparing himself for future development.

Kelly is completely restructuring ND into his team. I know he says he expects success now, but what else do you expect him to say? With the type of players he's bringing in, I think two more years and we'll start to become elite.

 

[Grahambo]

Recruiting: A
Representation of the University: A-
On-Field Results: C+

Overall: B+

Will be interesting to see how he closes out this seasons and wraps up this recruiting class. No matter what he needs to be given 5 years. 2013 is the first year where the schedule sets up well AND he will have mostly his recruits. 2014 will be the first year of all his recruits.

I concur. By the way, people need to leave the Urban Meyer thing alone. He had a shot at his "dream job" twice and passed both times, I think Lou Holtz has a better shot at coming back then Urban does.

 

[TerryTate]

B

QB situation needs to get sorted out this offseason.

 

[dre1919]

Recruiting: A
Representation of the University: A-
On-Field Results: C+

Overall: B-

 

[BobD]

Grading on winning percentage takes emotion out of the equation.

_(-)________(+)____
.000 - .100 - .200 = F
.201 - .300 - .400 = D
.401 - .500 - .600 = C
.601 - .700 - .800 = B
.801 - .900 - 1000 = A

Current year 4-3 for .571 = C+
Last Year (incl. Bowl game) 8-5 for .615 = B-
Overall 12-8 for .600 = C+

 

[irishff1014]

Recruiting: A
Representation of the University: A-
On-Field Results: C+

Overall: B+

Will be interesting to see how he closes out this seasons and wraps up this recruiting class. No matter what he needs to be given 5 years. 2013 is the first year where the schedule sets up well AND he will have mostly his recruits. 2014 will be the first year of all his recruits.

I agree with almost everything you said but the B+ should be just a B. I still believe that he is the right coach for this program.

 

[OCIrish]

I'm in the minority, and I'm fine with that, but I give BK a D+. Yeah, he's recruiting, but this team had 2 weeks to be ready for SC, and just got outplayed on both lines by a team who wanted to win more. That's on the coaching staff. This team has had expectations placed on them and not once this year (save the win over Sparty) have they lived up to any of those expectations. Until he can prove he's got this team truly headed in the right direction, then he's not gettin more love than what I think he deserves.

 

[McMeanass]

I concur. By the way, people need to leave the Urban Meyer thing alone. He had a shot at his "dream job" twice and passed both times, I think Lou Holtz has a better shot at coming back then Urban does.

Amen. Every time I see a reference to Urban Meyer, I give up on the person who said it. Urban doesn't want the job, and I don't want him as the coach. There are question marks about what kind of program he runs, questions about his effectiveness as a coach (post Tebow? he quit on that program), etc.

If I heard Swarbrick even put a feeler out there in regards to Urban coaching a year and a half into Brian Kelly's tenure, I'd find a new team to pledge my allegiance to.

Brian Kelly is everything we want in a football coach. Please can the retarded SEC "FIRE DAVID CUTCLIFFE AFTER A 10-3 SEASON!!" mentality and let this guy do his damn job.

 

[Zibby32]

IMO, Offense has not been impressive.

 

[PigtownIrish]

I'm in the minority, and I'm fine with that, but I give BK a D+. Yeah, he's recruiting, but this team had 2 weeks to be ready for SC, and just got outplayed on both lines by a team who wanted to win more. That's on the coaching staff. This team has had expectations placed on them and not once this year (save the win over Sparty) have they lived up to any of those expectations. Until he can prove he's got this team truly headed in the right direction, then he's not gettin more love than what I think he deserves.

I agree. The problem is that his decisions have directly led to losses. Michigan and Tulsa last year come to mind. While I trust that he has now learned the lesson to take the field goal, I'm skeptical of his ability to win a NC when he doesn't see what seems so obvious to everyone else-run the damn ball with Jonas!!!

And since he's the head coach, he's responsible for the performance of other coaches. Diaco may be a great recruiter, but his game planning and inability to put an aggressive defense on the field is apparent. A bend don't break philosophy isn't going to scare anyone. USC this year equals Navy last year. And we haven't even got to Navy this year yet.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I say a B so far. A lot of culture change going on, more than we thought we needed. It takes time to change the mentality and demeanor of a team.

I do think Diaco needs to figure out the triple option pretty damn quick though.

We are more scared of losing right now then we are trying to win.

There are still going to be growing pains ahead, especially next year with a tough schedule and a new secondary. As Lax pointed out, things set up well for 2013.

Regardless if we lose one or two more games we are still most likely going to the Champs Sports Bowl where we will most likely play F$U. Beat those ****ers and we are good to go.

 

[ryno 24]

all I can say is lou Holtz trajectory is very similar to that of Brian Kelly we would have freaked out if he went 5-6 last year but it was a similar season. the next year he went 8-4 we are probably going to go 9-4 very similar seasons I saw fight until halfway through the fourth quarter after Cierre's fumble. They didnt give up until after Dayne's Fumble. Give them a chance to develop. The defense only gave up 24 points. The offense should have scored at least that. This is dissapointing as all get out but I mean he taught them how to win the easy games last year now he has to teach them how to win the tough ones. I'm saying probably a bcs next year and who knows in 2013

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I give him a B- (instead of C+) simply because every game thus far in 2011 I truly felt we were going to win, and that hasn't happened in a long time.

 

[Ndaccountant]

The Good: The players really seem to like him as do the recruits. This really shouldn't be a surprise given the reaction the Cinci players had the reaction they did when he left. I also think he is hell bent on having a program in place, not just a football team. Nd hasn't had one for 15 years. He is building the trenches through recruiting which should set up a solid foundation.

The Bad: Quite a few head scratching games in only two years. Could be a bad omen.

The Unknown: It's clear he doesn't have a QB. Tommy is serviceable, but that is it. All the credit to him for his heart, but he isn't the answer, nor should he be. Dayne is a fantastic kid but can't control his nerves and lacks decision making skills on the field. I don't think we can judge Kelly until Golson or another QB get the chance to run this offense. He needs someone mobile enough but with a strong enough arm to stretch the field vertically and horizontally. Tommy and Dayne aren't that.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I agree. The problem is that his decisions have directly led to losses. Michigan and Tulsa last year come to mind. While I trust that he has now learned the lesson to take the field goal, I'm skeptical of his ability to win a NC when he doesn't see what seems so obvious to everyone else-run the damn ball with Jonas!!!

And since he's the head coach, he's responsible for the performance of other coaches. Diaco may be a great recruiter, but his game planning and inability to put an aggressive defense on the field is apparent. A bend don't break philosophy isn't going to scare anyone. USC this year equals Navy last year. And we haven't even got to Navy this year yet.

He can't be aggressive with the CB's and S's on the team. I like Smith, but he still struggles in coverage. Blanton is the best on the team and he is no better than a 3rd or 4th round draft pick. You want to blitz? Go ahead, but I bet you the PPG number would be higher as would yards given up.

 

[irishff1014]

IMO, Offense has not been impressive.

Really did you just say that???? Total Defense for the folling teams we played and their ranking. Michigan State #2, Michigan #28, Purdue #39, USC #43, USF # 46. Against Michigan we had 513 totla yards, Purdue we had 551 total yards, and USF we had 508 total yards.

 

[aubeirish]

A-

I expected 4 years. Needs to get his own guys for his system.

I'm patient, and I see growth in the right direction.

Weis's first couple of years were "duct tape" fixes. Meaning, it appeared Weis fixed all the problems, but really he was patching the holes. Not preparing himself for future development.

Kelly is completely restructuring ND into his team. I know he says he expects success now, but what else do you expect him to say? With the type of players he's bringing in, I think two more years and we'll start to become elite.

I feel exactly the same way. It is very tough to bring a winning attitude to a football team that doesn't know a thing about it. I like what BK is doing.

 

[irishff1014]

Really did you just say that???? Total Defense for the folling teams we played and their ranking. Michigan State #2, Michigan #28, Purdue #39, USC #43, USF # 46. Against Michigan we had 513 totla yards, Purdue we had 551 total yards, and USF we had 508 total yards.

Also just so everyone knows on SI's stats we are the 32 overall offense. However i am worried that Purdue and USF have a better overall defense then us ouch.

 

[georgia irish]

A. I can't blame a coach for a kid fumbling,all he can do is put the team in position to win.If we don't turnover the ball we are undefeated,and to me the problem with nd has been defense. We are starting to play better and more aggressively,even though we started sluggishly.We are not championship level yet, but we are moving towards that goal. USC is a good team but we beat them without the turnovers.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I don't like making these sorts of comments, but we lost by 14. Dayne's fumble= +/-14. Carlo's unsportsmanlike= +/-3. Two "simple", non-coach-related things. Even if we'd still say that USC outplayed us, we win 27-21.

Comment made for two reasons: A). we were in the game, not totally out of it; and B). defense would have given up only 21 points to an NFL quarterback with bigtime receivers. [and that would have been one touchdown for the final three quarters --- yep, sounds real lousy to me].

 

[Whiskeyjack]

ND's recent F/+ rankings:

2009
Overall: 32
Offense: 12
Defense: 75

2010
Overall: 17
Offense: 37
Defense: 9

2011 (to date)
Overall: 7
Offense: 9
Defense: 13

Those of you giving BK low grades are absurd.

 

[Grahambo]

ND's recent F/+ rankings:

2009
Overall: 32
Offense: 12
Defense: 75

2010
Overall: 17
Offense: 37
Defense: 9

2011 (to date)
Overall: 7
Offense: 9
Defense: 13

Those of you giving BK low grades are absurd.

Forgive me but what is the F/+ rankings?

Insert negative comments here: __________

 

[ChiefSecond]

I'm worried for BK because next year without a doubt is gonna be ROUGH. No mike floyd..therefore our only playmaker is cierre wood. Just stop the riddick talk, he's done nothing all season.

We'll be breaking in a new QB, who may able to make plays with his feet but he'll make a lot of mental mistakes...and we have no real idea about his accuracy.

the defense has been really average this season, and we're about to lose the secondary and EJ.
T'eo MUST stay. because outside of him the linebackers aren't very good at all.

It's hard to make a case for the O or D being anything special next season....and then of course there is that schedule.....

 

[Whiskeyjack]

F/+ is a combination of two excellent computer rankings put out by Football Outsiders: the S&P is a play-by-play measure of production, and the FEI is a drive-based measure of efficiency. Both rankings are "opponent adjusted", so SoS is factored in.

S&P is especially useful since it breaks down into specific rankings for rush offense, pass offense, rush defense, pass defense, standard downs, and passing downs.

 

[BobD]

ND's recent F/+ rankings:

2009
Overall: 32
Offense: 12
Defense: 75

2010
Overall: 17
Offense: 37
Defense: 9

2011 (to date)
Overall: 7
Offense: 9
Defense: 13

Those of you giving BK low grades are absurd.

Respectfully.....Unfortunately, Athletic Directors don't usually have these stats on the desk when they're firing a Head Coach. There is usually one paper with two columns, Wins and Losses.

 

[PigtownIrish]

T'eo MUST stay. because outside of him the linebackers aren't very good at all.

I'm not so sure about this. Certainly they could have played better. Shembo and Fleming both blowing a chance to decleat Barkley in the open field was a definite low. Shembo also got blocked out of the play a lot. But I did, for the first time, actually notice Fox make a nice play or two. Fox is the kind of player who never would have gotten better under the prior regimes. A lot of room for improvement, certainly, but some hope for this group.

I think Diaco didn't have the LBs, or the rest of the defense for that matter, ready to play physical against the run. He sold out everything to prevent one thing-the deep pass. By the time he and our D got over the surprise of being punched in the mouth, penalties and turnovers halted any momentum we could muster.

 

[Green Goblin]

B+

We're headed in the right direction but we need to bring in a few more players to fill in a couple more holes and we need to mature alittle more at one or two other key positions and frankly, I think that might all happen next year.

I was REALLY concerned with the QB situation coming into this year. I wanted to believe in Dayne Crist but he just seemed to not be there mentally and Tommy Rees is still young and not physically a specimen...and it looks like I was right to be afraid.

Next year, we have a tough schedule but I'm excited because I think we might be up for it.

 

[Green Goblin]

I'm worried for BK because next year without a doubt is gonna be ROUGH. No mike floyd..therefore our only playmaker is cierre wood. Just stop the riddick talk, he's done nothing all season.

We'll be breaking in a new QB, who may able to make plays with his feet but he'll make a lot of mental mistakes...and we have no real idea about his accuracy.

the defense has been really average this season, and we're about to lose the secondary and EJ.
T'eo MUST stay. because outside of him the linebackers aren't very good at all.

It's hard to make a case for the O or D being anything special next season....and then of course there is that schedule.....

Wow, totally disagree.

Riddick has made things happen whenever they actually get him the ball. I think with Michael Floyd goes, you'll finally see Riddick's true ability because they'll really need him. Cierre Wood and GA3 will be an impressive one-two punch.

Also, next year, I think Tommy Rees will be the starting QB but they'll use the QB shuffle more regularly. I think we'll see more and more of Hendrix over the next few weeks, too, probably almost in a similar fashion to what we'll see next year.

I think Te'o will stay. Think our recruits will fill in at DB nicely. Safety might be a tough one to fill though.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I'm not so sure about this. Certainly they could have played better. Shembo and Fleming both blowing a chance to decleat Barkley in the open field was a definite low. Shembo also got blocked out of the play a lot. But I did, for the first time, actually notice Fox make a nice play or two. Fox is the kind of player who never would have gotten better under the prior regimes. A lot of room for improvement, certainly, but some hope for this group.

I think Diaco didn't have the LBs, or the rest of the defense for that matter, ready to play physical against the run. He sold out everything to prevent one thing-the deep pass. By the time he and our D got over the surprise of being punched in the mouth, penalties and turnovers halted any momentum we could muster.

Speaking of Fox, I have seen him on two occasions absolutely light up the lead blocker (both FBs) in the last two games. Great penetration at the line will do good things for the defense.

 

[DANsanity15]

B for recruiting... C for the results thus far... looks like there is a bright future.